Spring Break
Cross country teams trek to Quinnipiac Invitational
Matthew McDonough
Issue date: 9/23/08 Section: Sports
After last season's success one might think head coach Bill Morgan and assistant coach Clive Terrelonge would be satisfied. Instead the goal for the women's cross country team is not just to keep the success going. It is to raise the bar.
The Huskies next test will be Saturday when they travel to Hamden, for the Quinnipiac Invitational.
"We want to be in form, and as fit as we can be when the Big East championship comes around." Terrelonge said.
Led by senior captains Kaitlin Vaughan and Keelin King, the Huskies got off to a great start. On Sept. 6, UConn placed second in the Blue Devil Invitational hosted by Central Connecticut State.
The Huskies demolished Rhode Island, Northeastern, and New Haven, but were edged-out by Holy Cross. Freshman Courtney Dinnan paced the Huskies and won her first collegiate meet with a time of 18:40.
"Our best runner, Leah Andrianos, was under the weather and we expect her to be back on top," Terrelonge said. "But Courtney stepped up, and did a great job winning the meet."
Terrelonge was confident that they could do even better this Saturday at the Ted Owens Invitational.
"A couple minor injuries forced us to run nine in the first meet, but we should run 12 this Saturday," Terrelonge said.
The coach's predictions came true as the Huskies ran great at the Ted Owens Invitational. The team finished third behind nationally ranked New Hampshire and Boston University.
Dinnan shined once again, finishing first for UConn with a time of 18:34, six seconds faster than her last meet. Sara Leslie and Andrianos rounded out the top three women for the Huskies.
"I did really well this time because I had more confidence," Dinnan said. "Last meet really opened my eyes to the level of competition in college."
According to Dinnan, UConn's provided a great environment for her to thrive in.
"I really love running at UConn. This team is great and the coaches help make this the right fit for me." Dinnan said.
The former Hamden High standout will return home this weekend when the Huskies travel to Hamden for the Quinnipiac Invitational on Saturday.
But October proves to be the most important month in the season. The New England and the Big East Championships along with the National Invitational will set the stage for the NCAA Regional Championships in November.
The Huskies next test will be Saturday when they travel to Hamden, for the Quinnipiac Invitational.
"We want to be in form, and as fit as we can be when the Big East championship comes around." Terrelonge said.
Led by senior captains Kaitlin Vaughan and Keelin King, the Huskies got off to a great start. On Sept. 6, UConn placed second in the Blue Devil Invitational hosted by Central Connecticut State.
The Huskies demolished Rhode Island, Northeastern, and New Haven, but were edged-out by Holy Cross. Freshman Courtney Dinnan paced the Huskies and won her first collegiate meet with a time of 18:40.
"Our best runner, Leah Andrianos, was under the weather and we expect her to be back on top," Terrelonge said. "But Courtney stepped up, and did a great job winning the meet."
Terrelonge was confident that they could do even better this Saturday at the Ted Owens Invitational.
"A couple minor injuries forced us to run nine in the first meet, but we should run 12 this Saturday," Terrelonge said.
The coach's predictions came true as the Huskies ran great at the Ted Owens Invitational. The team finished third behind nationally ranked New Hampshire and Boston University.
Dinnan shined once again, finishing first for UConn with a time of 18:34, six seconds faster than her last meet. Sara Leslie and Andrianos rounded out the top three women for the Huskies.
"I did really well this time because I had more confidence," Dinnan said. "Last meet really opened my eyes to the level of competition in college."
According to Dinnan, UConn's provided a great environment for her to thrive in.
"I really love running at UConn. This team is great and the coaches help make this the right fit for me." Dinnan said.
The former Hamden High standout will return home this weekend when the Huskies travel to Hamden for the Quinnipiac Invitational on Saturday.
But October proves to be the most important month in the season. The New England and the Big East Championships along with the National Invitational will set the stage for the NCAA Regional Championships in November.
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